One of the roughest days for players, NFL coaches and front-office folks is when the final roster cuts are due. The NFL may be a business—and often a cold one at that—but having to tell a man his dream (at least temporarily) is over can't be easy.

But it's part of being a professional athlete, and this weekend, the preseason cycle will complete itself once again. Here, we'll track each notable cut as NFL teams trim their rosters to 53.

Ryan Williams, who has struggled with injuries but showed promise when healthy, made the cut, while guard Chilo Rachal, who started games with the San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears, wasn't so lucky.

Sadly, the dream has come to an end for Brian Banks—or at least the dream of making the 53-man roster for the Atlanta Falcons—as he was released, according to NFL insider Jay Glazer.

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Few players have been a better story this preseason than Brian Banks, who was signed by the Atlanta Falcons after serving five years in prison for a rape he didn't commit. Making the team was always a long shot for Banks, but his story has been one worth following.

Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun reportedboth Caleb Hanie and Delone Carter were cut by the Baltimore Ravens on Friday. The two had underwhelming performances against the St. Louis Rams in Baltimore's final preseason game.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported both Kevin Kolb and Brad Smith were placed on injured reserve by the Buffalo Bills.

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UPDATE: Friday, August 30, at 10:55 a.m. ET by Timothy Rapp

Matt Leinart has been cut by the Buffalo Bills, failing to stick at quarterback. According to Ian Rapoprt of NFL.com, Leinart tweeted the following on Friday: "Tough game. Tough situation. No excuses. Thanks you to the Bills organization!"

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Utility weapon Brad Smith wasn't a lock to crack the roster as a wide receiver, as the Buffalo Bills had several contenders for the No. 5 spot. He held on in the end, however, but it remains to be seen how much of an impact he'll make.

Earl Bennett was reportedly put on the trade block on Thursday, according to Chris Wesseling of NFL.com, which is never a good sign for a player in the preseason. He did, however, survive the cuts on Saturday.

Orson Charles beat out John "Terminator" Conner as the team's starting fullback. Safety Taylor Mays also survived and will be a backup this year, contributing mostly on special teams barring an injury to a starter.

The Browns have released former Buffalo Bills wide receiver David Nelson in an effort to cut their roster down to 53 players by Saturday evening, according to NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport on Twitter:

Aaron Rodgers is obviously the starter at quarterback. Many people thought Vince Young had the backup role wrapped up, but after the quarterback tweeted his release, the Packers will turn to B.J. Coleman if Rodgers goes down to an injury:

Thanks to the @packers for the opportunity great organization great team wonderful fans good luck this season.

Caesar Rayford wowed coaches and fans alike this preseason with five sacks, and the linebacker earned a spot on the team's 53-man roster as a result. This is a great opportunity for the 27-year-old player to see some quality snaps.

A.J. Jenkins was nothing but a disappointment for the San Francisco 49ers. He hasn't set the field on fire for the Kansas City Chiefs either, but it appears the team will keep him around after he survived Saturday's cuts.

Former quarterback and now wide receiver Joe Webb retained a spot on the Vikings' 53-man roster to enter the 2013 season. Webb has valuable athleticism and can be used in various ways. He finished the preseason with a team-high 10 receptions for 65 yards and a touchdown.

Arguably the most popular fringe player looking to make an NFL roster this preseason, Tim Tebow has reportedly been released by the New England Patriots, according to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter via Twitter:

It's a big blow to a team that needs every single draft pick to produce in order to climb out of the AFC West basement. General Manager Reggie McKenzie will undoubtedly be heavily scrutinized by the Raiders organization this season.

Robert Meachem didn't survive the final cuts, as reported by Union-Tribune San Diego's Michael Gehlken. This comes just one year after the team signed Meachem as a free agent, meaning the team is still on the hook to pay him a big sum of money, as noted by Gehlken:

The Chargers will pay Robert Meachem millions this season to play somewhere else.

They notified the wide receiver Saturday afternoon they've "let him go," a source said, ending a high-priced union that proved a poor fit for both sides. The cut comes before the second season of a four-year contract that fully guaranteed Meachem $14 million, including a $7.5 million signing bonus and his $5 million base salary this year.

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UPDATE: Friday, August 30, at 9:22 p.m.

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported that the Chargers had a competition between King Dunlap and Max Starks at left tackle, and that Starks lost, getting cut on Friday. The 31-year-old started all 16 games for the Pittsburgh Steelers last season, and don't be surprised if he ends up there again this offseason.

Seneca Wallace will be cut by the San Francisco 49ers and will reportedly retire from football, according to Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee (via NFL.com). Veteran Austin Collie was also released as the 49ers pared the roster down to 53.

The Titans cut fourth-year quarterback Rusty Smith, but according to Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com, the team hopes he'll clear waivers so it can put him on the practice squad and stash him in case the need arises later in the season for another quarterback.